Funding without transparency? Tobacco company support of Black-owned businesses in the USA

Systemic racism in the USA has resulted in underfunding of Black/African American-led organisations1 compared with White-led organisations.2–4 For decades, tobacco companies have exploited economic inequality in the Black/African American community5 by funding or sponsoring Black/African American-serving newspapers and magazines,6 7 cultural institutions,8 Black/African American politicians and other influential individuals9–12 and entertainment events.5 Tobacco companies have also used corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes13 to gain social and political favours.14 For example, in the wake of demands for racial justice in 2020, some tobacco companies announced initiatives aimed at supporting the Black/African American community in purported service of racial equity.15 Here, we examine one recent initiative.

The John Middleton Company, a subsidiary of Altria Group and maker of Black & Mild…

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